the Red Sox’s search for an ace starting pitcher this offseason was not, of course, much of a search at all. The team signed Lucas Giolito from the Nationals in January to an incentive-laced deal that could have run up to three years, but he’s already out for the 2024 season with elbow surgery. Giolito was not much of an ace to begin with, but now the Red Sox are without a real No. 1 starter at all.
What to do? Well, there is a chance that a stale winter rumor could yet be revived. Three months ago, the Red Sox were frequently connected with Marlins lefty Jesus Luzardo, who is 26 years old and still two years away from hitting unrestricted free agency.
And while many players might be reluctant to join an increasingly moribund bunch in Boston, according to Boston Globe beat writer Julian McWilliams, Luzardo is an exception. He has spent the entirety of his MLB career playing for tough markets in Oakland and Miami, so suiting up for a well-attended team like the Red Sox would certainly garner his interest, should the Red Sox look to put together a trade package for him.
Jesus Luzardo ‘Interested’ in Playing for Red Sox
McWilliams was speaking on the “Play Tessie” podcast last week when the subject of the Red Sox’s absence of an ace was raised. The easy fix, and the one most often mentioned by those around baseball and covering the team, would be a signing of Rangers free-agent Jordan Montgomery.
But Montgomery after helping the Rangers to a World Series title, Montgomery is holding out for a long-term contract, especially if he is heading to a non-contender. Luzardo, though, can help immediately and has more upside than the 31-year-old Montgomery.
